In 2016, Colombia ended a decades-long civil war when it signed a peace agreement with the left-wing FARC rebels. Its terms provided for rehabilitation programmes to support tens of thousands of guerrilla fighters as they reintegrate into society. The entire programme is a grand experiment on an unprecedented scale, and affords scientists and health workers a unique opportunity to study the psychological impacts of violence and isolation. Their findings could serve as a template – or a cautionary tale – for other countries trying to rehabilitate terrorists. More importantly, they could lead to better treatment for the guerrillas themselves, although some question the government’s ability and willingness to do so.
The story follows the scientists’ interactions with guerrillas who are fighting trauma and guilt, even as they to create new lives for themselves in a country that resents them. Our research painted a bleak picture of the scale and nature of the challenge and the inadequacy of government funding dedicated to the project to deal with it. But it also captured the humanity present and the desire of psychologists and scientists — many of whom were themselves victimized during the war — to help. The story combined narrative journalism, graphical storytelling, video and photography to produce an immersive multimedia experience. There was also a documentary film that captures the trauma inflicted by the decades long war and the efforts underway to help people heal.